smittenbyu
in
expats
living abroad...
((this is a vent/whine))
In this mom's group I am in, I am the only non-American. I don't think they know that and I didn't bother clarifying until now. All moms are keen to immerse their little ones in a second language. Many because they themselves are multi-lingual and others because they see the benefits of it. The former chose language like French, because that's their second language. The latter are choosing Mandarin. Mind you all of us have babies under the age of 1.
Anyhow, I talked about importance of practicing the language chosen outside classroom. I used myself as an example. I took French as my second language for 6 years. But I never practiced it or got to use it outside. Not too many people speaking fluent French in Singapore. So, although I can understand reading it a bit I am embarassed to say that I took the language class. Anyhow, for my little one, we speak Telugu at home but realise that will not be taught at school and so are looking to put her into Spanish classes rather than Mandarin. Mostly because she will be able to practice it as there are so many more people speaking Spanish in our neighbourhood (and I know a bit of it).
And I had mentioned that in my ideal world, we would get the opportunity to live abroad for a few years at a time or longer so little one gets to fully immerse not only in the language, but the culture, the people, the different life - more than just being a tourist. I guess, I want the same life I had for her. It was funny to hear the reactions. Some reason they have the perception that if they did that they will forget or lose touch of American type of life and will get spoiled with having maids, nannies and private schooling. whoa. (none of them have lived abroad; one mom's husband had for a few years during his high school years - so I don't know where they get the impression)
I had to remind myself they are human beings with their own opinions and carried on talk about teething and crawling and the topic that can never be exhausted - sleep issues.
le sigh
In this mom's group I am in, I am the only non-American. I don't think they know that and I didn't bother clarifying until now. All moms are keen to immerse their little ones in a second language. Many because they themselves are multi-lingual and others because they see the benefits of it. The former chose language like French, because that's their second language. The latter are choosing Mandarin. Mind you all of us have babies under the age of 1.
Anyhow, I talked about importance of practicing the language chosen outside classroom. I used myself as an example. I took French as my second language for 6 years. But I never practiced it or got to use it outside. Not too many people speaking fluent French in Singapore. So, although I can understand reading it a bit I am embarassed to say that I took the language class. Anyhow, for my little one, we speak Telugu at home but realise that will not be taught at school and so are looking to put her into Spanish classes rather than Mandarin. Mostly because she will be able to practice it as there are so many more people speaking Spanish in our neighbourhood (and I know a bit of it).
And I had mentioned that in my ideal world, we would get the opportunity to live abroad for a few years at a time or longer so little one gets to fully immerse not only in the language, but the culture, the people, the different life - more than just being a tourist. I guess, I want the same life I had for her. It was funny to hear the reactions. Some reason they have the perception that if they did that they will forget or lose touch of American type of life and will get spoiled with having maids, nannies and private schooling. whoa. (none of them have lived abroad; one mom's husband had for a few years during his high school years - so I don't know where they get the impression)
I had to remind myself they are human beings with their own opinions and carried on talk about teething and crawling and the topic that can never be exhausted - sleep issues.
le sigh